TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16 NKJV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• I made an impromptu visit to the used bookstore this week. I scored big time… 15 books totaling $21. After stacking all my new-used books in the passenger seat, I walked around my car and noticed a sticker on the back window of the car parked beside me. It said, “Make money, not friends.”
How sad is that?!?
It’s not a new idea, of course. I’ve always heard it as something you might say at work — “I’m not here to make friends.”
Don’t get me wrong… I know we need to make money. We can’t pay the bills without it. And I agree that there are some work colleagues with whom we should be friendly, but maintain professional boundaries. But that sticker just seemed particularly cutthroat and heartless to me.
It prioritized money over people. Let’s face it, though — money makes people weird.
Proverbs 16:16 says, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” Those who understand this are better off.
The truth is — money is common. It can always be made; they print more of it every day. But people are not common; every one of us is unique. A one-of-kind creation.
When we chase after the almighty dollar and, in the process, sacrifice family, friends, and relationships — what have we gained? I know of no dying person whose last words were, “I wish I’d made more money.”
Wisdom knows that whatever we make in this life is temporary. We aren’t taking our money with us. And to be clear — there’s nothing wrong with having money. There’s an often misquoted verse in the Bible: Money is NOT the root of all evil, but Paul wrote that the LOVE of money is the problem. Specifically, he said, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money has cost many people dearly.
Our culture emphasizes stuff. We have confused wants vs. needs and assumed that if we have this or that — we’ll be happy. In reality, we’ll be empty. Empty wallets. Empty hearts.
Conversely, our culture treats people as disposable. It’s acceptable to abandon others when they don’t serve our purpose.
We need friends. But, more than anyone else, we need Jesus. He is the ultimate best friend we could ever have. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And that’s exactly what He did for us — gave His life so we can have eternal life.
That’s a priceless friendship, and we don’t have to spend a dime to have it. If we have Jesus, then we have everything.
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for being your friend. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you manage your money and prioritize your relationships.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the NKJV translation.
